🔗 Share this article

The California governor, a leading Democratic figure, has disclosed that he plans to determine whether to seek the White House in 2028 once the 2026 elections conclude.

"Yeah, I couldn't be truthful if I denied it," the governor remarked when asked about giving serious thought to a White House bid following the 2026 ballots. "I'd just be lying. And I'm not."

The governor's tenure as California's leader wraps up in the start of 2027, and term limits prevent another run. However, he cautioned that any decision is a long way off.

"It's up to destiny," he remarked.

Increased Visibility as a Political Adversary

Newsom has stepped forward as a notable adversary of the former president's team, employing his online platforms and advocating for a ballot measure that would increase the party's House seats in response to redistricting by Republicans. This strategy has invited attacks from critics.

Federal Funding Dispute

The former president's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, alleged that Newsom shows no concern about Californians in a Sunday interview on Fox News. Duffy disclosed intentions to withhold government money from the state and warned eliminating the authority to provide commercial driver's licenses.

"I intend to cut $160 million from the state," he declared, in the wake of a this week's tragic collision in California involving an unauthorized semi truck driver that led to fatalities and four injuries.

His administration noted that the federal government had renewed the driver's employment on several occasions, which enabled him to secure a commercial driver's license under U.S. law.

Duffy had before announced he was withholding $40 million from California for ignoring English language requirements for CDL holders.

Pointed Reply from the Team

"Former D-list reality star, now transportation chief, still doesn't understand federal law," the governor's team said in a previous release responding to Duffy's threats. "For now, in contrast to this person, we focus on reality: California commercial driver's license holders had a death rate significantly lower than the national average. The state of Texas – the only state with additional licensed drivers – has a rate markedly elevated than California. Statistics are clear. This administration is dishonest."

Public Opinion and Campaign Considerations

A recently conducted poll revealed that nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters and a significant portion of the electorate indicated that Newsom must consider running for the White House in the next election cycle. In recent years, Newsom's favorability has grown to an typical level of about one-third from around 30%, while his unfavorability has fallen from an average of more than 40% to current figures.

Some time ago, Newsom commented while visiting several key regions that he had "no clue" about his plans for the next presidential election.

He also referenced his past difficulties, including being identified as dyslexic at the early childhood.

"The thought that a guy who scored 960 on the SAT, who continues to find reading challenging, who was always in the back of the classroom – the idea that you would even throw that out is, alone, remarkable," he stated. "It's anyone's guess? I'm looking forward to who presents themselves in the next election and who rises to the occasion. And that remains the key point for the voters."